Plasma therapy against hair loss
Blood component treatment with platelet rich plasma is a procedure using a concentrated amount of platelets obtained from the patient’s own blood and then injected back into the scalp. Platelets contain growth factors that attract stem cells to the site. Stem cells and growth factors of platelets promote hair regrowth.
The most common form of hair loss in both men and women is called androgenic alopecia, which is caused by genetically determined androgenic effects on hair follicles.
Is plasma therapy suitable for everyone?
Plasma therapy is not suitable if you have been diagnosed with thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count), chronic liver disease, cancer, or if you are taking blood thinners. People who smoke a lot and drink too much alcohol are not ideal candidates for plasma therapy (due to poor platelet function and poor blood circulation). Bleeding-stopping drugs inhibit platelet activity. This therapy should be discontinued at least 3-4 days before plasma therapy and resumed one week later.
Androgenic alopecia is dependent on androgenic dihydrotesterosterone (DHT). Hair follicles contain androgen receptors (male sex hormone). Two things happen when these receptors are affected by DHT. The growth phase is shortened and the hair follicle itself shrinks, resulting in shorter and thinner hair.
Men can start losing their hair while they are still in puberty. However, it is more common for this condition to occur around age 30. First, it is often noticed that the hair is thinning, and then the scalp becomes more and more visible. Even the hairline can rise higher and has the characteristic “high temples” ends.
Women with androgenic alopecia suffer from more intense hair loss and rarely experience complete hair loss. About 20-25% of women show signs of female-specific androgenetic alopecia in their 50s.
When the hair follicles remain, the plasma can restore the hair to its original size and reduce hair loss. This is why plasma is best for women and young men who are starting to notice their hair thinning.
Alopecia areata is a disease that causes the immune system to attack the hair follicles and causes hair loss to a large extent. Plasma therapy has also been successful in this case.
Hair loss due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy most likely does not respond to treatment with plasma. In plasma therapy, a small amount of blood (usually 1-2 test tubes) is first collected from the patient.
Platelets are then concentrated by centrifugation of blood. After local anesthesia, platelet-rich plasma is delivered to the scalp with several small injections. A large number of injected platelets stimulate the inactive hair follicles into an active growth phase. It can irritate the scalp for a few hours and sometimes slight swelling can be seen in the few days. Since the platelets come from the patient’s own blood, the treatment does not pose a risk of hypersensitivity.
After the first treatment, a decrease in hair loss can be noticed after 2-3 weeks. A month later you get the second treatment. Patients who have undergone plasma therapy have observed increased hair growth and volume within 3-6 months. Return visits are reserved for follow-up 6 months after the second session.
